Solicitation for Grant Application
Maryland State Department of Education
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Deadline
November 8, 2002
4:00pm
This document is available
in alternate formats upon request.
2.0 PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION
2.1 Name of Grant Program:
21st Century Community Learning Centers
2.2 Authorization:
The passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which significantly amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to expand State and local accountability and flexibility and to stress the adoption of research-based practices, makes 21st Century Community Learning Centers possible. The program has been authorized under Title IV, Part B, in Section 4201(a) of the ESEA. (Exhibit 1)
2.3 Summary of Dates
Dissemination:
September 9, 2002
Deadline:
November 8, 2002 at 4:00pm
Award Notification:
Notification of awards will be sent by mail the week of December 16, 2002.
2.4 Purpose:
The purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers is to create community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities as well as additional services designed to complement their regular academic program. Community learning centers must also offer families of these students literacy and related educational development. Proposed activities target students, and families of students, who attend schools eligible for Title I schoolwide programs or schools that serve a high percentage of students from low-income families.
2.5 Required Components:
Proposals must contain the following to be considered for funding:
1. Extent of Need for the Project—that describes currently available extended learning opportunities available, needs of the identified low-performing or high-poverty schools to be served, and families of students attending such schools.
2. Goals, Objectives, and Milestones—that are measurable, realistic, and outcome-oriented referencing state, local or school-defined data or standards and identify the target population.
3. Plan of Operation—that describes how the after, before, and summer opportunities will be implemented.
4. Program Evaluation and Dissemination Plan—that describes the rigorous objective evaluation of progress towards goals, objectives and milestones, how data will be used, and the dissemination of such information to stakeholders.
5. Management Plan—that describes the persons responsible and timeline for the implementation of the program as well as specific responsibilities assigned to each person and/or agency participating.
6. Adequacy of Resources—that describes the partners and support provided in-kind, financial or other types of donations.
7. Budget and Cost-effectiveness—that describes specific use of funds received through the grant to provide services to students and their families and provide for transportation. The long-term projection should describe a transition toward self-sufficiency.
2.6 Priorities:
Priority shall be given to applications--
(A) proposing to target services to students who attend schools that have been identified as in need of improvement under Section 1116 of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB); and
(B) submitted jointly by eligible entities consisting of not less than 1--
(i) local educational agency receiving funds under Part A of Title I of (NCLB); and
(ii) community-based organization or other public or private entity.
SPECIAL RULE- The State educational agency shall provide the same priority to an application submitted by a local educational agency if the local educational agency demonstrates that it is unable to partner with a community-based organization in reasonable geographic proximity and of sufficient quality to meet the requirements of this part.
2.7 Eligible Applicants:
This competition is open to local school systems, interagency, interdepartmental, and community and faith-based or other private or public organizations, or a consortium of two or more of the aforementioned, proposing to provide services to students, and families of students, who primarily attend schools eligible for Title I schoolwide programs or schools that serve a high percentage of students from low-income families.
2.8 Proposal Review:
The review of proposals will be a four-part process.
1. Written applications will be pre-screened for submission requirements and inclusion of all required sections. Applicants not meeting all submission requirements will not be reviewed.
2. A review committee established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will evaluate written applications. The committee will be composed of representatives from outside agencies, practitioners, and MSDE personnel. Reviewers will comment upon the proposals and assign numerical scores.
3. Applicants may be scheduled for an oral program presentation as determined by the review committee.
4. Applicants must host a site visit to discuss the proposal as determined by the review committee.
5. The Maryland State Department of Education will determine final approval for awards.
MSDE reserves the right to take into consideration geographic distribution when
making awards.
2.9 Funding and Length of Grant Information
Total Funds Available:
$4,221,800
Length of Grants:
Three years with a MSDE option to renew for an additional two years contingent upon performance.
Estimated Number of Grants:
10- 25
Minimum Grant Amount:
$50,000 per center
2.10 Fund Use
1. Cost(s) incurred prior to the approval of the grant may not be funded through the award.
2. Eligible organizations may use funds to provide activities outside of school hours that: (a) provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend low-performing schools, to meet State and local student academic achievement standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and mathematics;
(b) offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as youth development activities, drug and violence prevention, counseling, art, music, recreation, technology education, and character education programs, that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students; and
(c) offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for literacy and related educational development.
2.11 The General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), Section 427:
Each application must develop and describe the steps such applicant proposes to
take to ensure equitable access to, and equitable participation in, the project or
activity to be conducted, by addressing the special needs of students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries in order to overcome barriers to equitable participation.
2.12 Reporting Requirements:
Grantees must submit:
1. Start-up Report
2. Mid-year progress reports;
3. Annual financial reports;
4. Annual evaluation reports;
5. A final evaluation, encompassing all funding cycles, within 60 days of the end of the grant period; and
6. State and Federally-defined program reporting requirements
In addition, grantees will host at least one site visit per funding cycle.
2.13 Proposals must contain the following information, assembled in the order indicated and inclusive of the requirements more specifically set forth for each in the Format for Presentation of Solicitation for the Grant Proposal section of this Solicitation:
1. Proposal Cover Sheet
2. Project Abstract
3. Table of Contents
4. Project Narrative (20-page limit)
4.1. Extent of Need
4.2. Goals, Objectives, and Milestones
4.3. Plan of Operation
4.3.1. Strategies/Activities Narrative and Worksheet
4.3.2. Narrative on Integration of Research-Based Practices
4.4. Evaluation and Dissemination Plan
4.5. Management Plan/Key Personnel
4.5.1. Management Worksheet
4.5.2. Project Time Line
5. Future Plans and Adequacy of Resources
6. Budget and Cost Effectiveness
6.1. Line Item Listing of Budgetary Expenses
6.2. Itemized Budget Form
7. Exhibits. Do not append any required sections indicated above. Appendices are
included below.
7.1. Works Cited
7.2. Letters of commitment from all project partners and principals of participating schools
7.3. Résumés of Key Personnel
7.4. Signed assurances
2.14 Submission Requirements:
1. All pages of the project narrative must use one-inch margins and be numbered according to the prescribed numbering convention. (See “Table of Contents” section)
2. The project statement that appears on the cover sheet must not exceed 100 words.
3. The abstract must not exceed one page.
4. Narrative must use line spacing of at least 1.5, and a type size of 12-point font. Charts may use single spacing and a type size of 10-point font.
5. All copies of the proposal should be on standard size (8½” x 11”) paper of regular weight.
6. Bound copies must be stapled in the upper left corner. They should not be bound by glue, spirals, wire, clasps, or any other means.
7. The prescribed coversheet must be the first page of the proposal.
8. The original coversheet must be signed in blue ink. Copies of the coversheet must not be color photocopied.
9. Application package excluding proposal cover sheet, table of contents, budget narrative, itemized budget form, signed assurances and appendices must not exceed 20 pages.
10. All tables and charts must follow prescribed formats.
An unbound original proposal, together with (5) bound copies, and an electronic copy on 3½” floppy disk, in Microsoft Word 97 or earlier version format, MUST be submitted to:
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Student and School Services
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2595
Attention: JoAnne Carter, Assistant State Superintendent
Program Contacts:
Sarah Hall Vanessa Diggs
(phone) 410-767-0286 (phone) 410-767-0561
(fax) 410-333-8148 (fax) 410-333-8148
2.15 Technical Assistance:
The technical assistance meeting reviewing the proposal is MANDATORY for all applicants. Applicants are encouraged to attend with a team of three members of the partnership intending to apply for the grant.
September 24, 2002 9:30a.m. - 3:00p.m.
· History and Purpose of 21st CCLC
· Request for Proposal Overview
· Grant Writing Tips
· Questions and Answers
· Networking Lunch
· What Makes a Quality Program
LOCATION OF MEETING
Columbia Meeting House
Columbia, MD
Non-Discrimination Statement:
The Maryland State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, or disability in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs. For inquiries related to Department policy, please contact:
Equity Assurance and Compliance Branch
Maryland State Department of Education
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2595
Voice: (410) 767-0426
TTY/TDD: (410) 333-6442
FAX: (410) 767-0431
3.0 Format for Presentation of Solicitations for Grant Proposals
1. PROPOSAL COVER SHEETEvery proposal must have a Proposal Cover Sheet. No other page may cover the proposal cover sheet. The subsequent information must be clearly stated in the following order:
1. Name of applicant
2. Title of project
3. The words “21st Century Community Learning Centers”
4. Name of contact person
5. Address of contact person
6. Telephone, fax, and email address of contact person
7. Project partners
8. Amount requested
9. Project statement (100-word limit)
10. Dated signature of Superintendent of Schools/Head of Grantee Agency
The Project Cover Sheet should be printed on plain white paper and contain neither graphics nor additional information.
The project statement should briefly describe your project’s outcome(s) and strategies (i.e., what your project will do and how it will be performed). Do not exceed the 100-word limit. This statement will be used in press releases, board exhibits, etc.
2. PROJECT ABSTRACT1-page limit
In the Project Abstract, you introduce your project to the reader. It should be factual, brief, and focused on your efforts. Do not assume the reader is familiar with your proposed project.
The Project Abstract should cover the core aspects of the proposed project, while addressing the following questions:
1. What is the problem or the need your 21st Century Learning Community program will address?
2. What populations, schools, or geographic areas will be served by the project?
3. What are the goals and objectives of the project? (For brevity, these should be paraphrased.)
4. What major strategies are to be employed to address the problem?
5. Who are the major partners, and what are their roles?
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Table of Contents is an important aid for the reader. When writing your proposal and constructing your table of contents, please use the following conventions:
1. The Proposal Cover Sheet is not numbered but is considered to be page “ i ” (lower case, Roman numeral one).
2. The Project Abstract is page “ ii ” (lower case, Roman numeral two).
3. Do not list the Table of Contents as one of the pages in the table of contents.
4. Table of Contents page(s) is( are) numbered iii, iv, etc.
5. The Extent of Need is the first page of the project narrative and is numbered “1". Subsequent pages are numbered consecutively.
6. The Budget is numbered as follows: “B-1, B-2, B-3”.
7. Appendices are labeled “Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C “.
4. PROJECT NARRATIVE20-page limit / 105 points total
The Project Narrative is your opportunity to convince readers that your project is sound and deserves to receive funding. Your Project Narrative should encompass the entire life of the project. When writing the Project Narrative, keep the following suggestions in mind:
1. Be succinct and clear. Readers need to understand quickly and easily the components of your project and how they work together to address the stated needs.
2. Do not assume the reader is familiar with your project; readers represent diverse backgrounds. Avoid jargon, and define all acronyms.
3. Proofread the Narrative once it is complete. Check for style inconsistencies, redundancies, factual omissions, and unexplained assumptions. A good strategy is to let someone not familiar with the project read and critique the proposal before you submit it to MSDE.
4. Be as detailed as possible. Use the entire page limit to explain your project. Use the Appendices to include information that may be important for the reader but will not fit within the Project Narrative. For clarity, it is important to reference in the body of the proposal any supplemental information included in the appendices.
4.1 Extent of Need20 of 105 points
A compelling proposal will have a clearly-defined problem supported by a needs assessment. A needs assessment is a systematic review of information collected from a variety of sources, analyzed to determine strengths and weaknesses, and prioritized for action in the proposal.
Here are some suggestions for your needs assessment.
1. Clearly, state the main problem or obstacle the 21st Century Community Learning Center will address in the first paragraph.
2. Cite research supporting your need for this project.
3. State what data were collected to confirm the existence of the problem, the sources of the data, and the methods used to collect them (this may include information about the students and schools the 21st Century Community Learning Center will serve as well as the parents of the students that may be provided services).